[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 519-520]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE GUARDIANS OF THE NATIONAL CEMETERY IN BUCKS COUNTY, PA

  (Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a group that 
has made a difference in our country, the Guardians of the National 
Cemetery in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This is a group comprised 
entirely of volunteers who have assumed the mission and duty of 
performing many of the sacred functions of the National Cemetery in 
Washington Crossing, Bucks County.
  Today, the Guardians, led by their President, Antonio Albano, are 250 
members strong. Among this proud group are the visionaries that fought 
to bring the National Cemetery to its current location in Bucks County. 
They worked tirelessly through the selection process with the VA not 
only to select the site, but also to prove that there will always be a 
dedicated group of individuals willing and able to provide the 
necessary services to those who rest in this solemn place and to their 
families.
  After the VA made the wise decision to locate the cemetery in Bucks 
County, the Guardians immediately began the work they have become known 
for--organizing services on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, as well as 
placing wreaths on the graves of our veterans. These are just some of 
the things the Guardians do to bring comfort to the bereaved and to 
honor those who have served us.
  Madam Speaker, honoring the work of the Guardians of the National 
Cemetery is particularly fitting today, January 20, 2011, because today 
marks the 1-year anniversary of the first veteran laid to rest at the 
Washington Crossing

[[Page 520]]

National Cemetery, a place that the Guardians have now helped to make 
hallowed ground.
  Tonight, the Guardians will gather to mark this occasion and pay 
tribute to the veterans who have been laid to rest at the National 
Cemetery. I am honored to make note of their achievements here on the 
floor of the House this morning and will be honored to be among them 
this evening.

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